Bill > HB167

This bill requires local school boards in Mississippi to develop and implement age-appropriate cell phone policies for public schools that restrict student cell phone use during the school day from "bell-to-bell" (including lunch and between class periods). The policies must differ by school level: elementary schools must have students turn off and store phones completely, middle schools must store phones during instructional time, and high schools can allow phone use outside of instructional hours. The bill defines key terms like "cell phone" and "personal electronic communication device" broadly to include smartphones, smartwatches, and future technologies. Critically, the bill prohibits suspending or expelling students solely for cell phone policy violations and requires schools to establish procedures for off-site events and emergencies. Schools must also incorporate emergency communication plans into their policies, publicly share these plans, and post the cell phone policy on their website. Exceptions are made for students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans who may need devices for health monitoring. The policy aims to reduce distractions, minimize disruptions to learning, and provide developmentally appropriate guidance on technology use, with implementation primarily the responsibility of school administration rather than school resource officers. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0167.xml